ATLANTA—Three men were spotted engaged in an apparent attempt to damage the fuel tank of a bus belonging to Shen Yun Performing Arts, a company that specializes in classical Chinese dance, while it was parked near Atlanta’s Fox Theater on the evening of Jan. 9.
The New York-based company is regularly targeted for harassment and interference by individuals that are linked to the Chinese Communist Party and its overseas diplomatic missions.
The men were loitering near the vehicles when a driver in one of them got out and asked what they were doing. They did not give a clear answer, and the driver directed them to leave. They were initially reluctant to do so, but later did leave after Theater staff reiterated the demand.
Soon after, the driver discovered that one of the fuel tanks had been gouged or scored, though not punctured, despite what appeared to be an attempt to do damage with a sharp metal object.
The puncturing of a fuel tank of one of the buses could have brought extreme danger, including the possibility of fire or explosion if leaking fuel and fumes had come into contact with a spark, or the fire of a cigarette.
Shen Yun gave two performances at the Fox Theater in Atlanta, on Jan. 8 and 9.
The targeting of a Shen Yun touring vehicle mirrors a similar case in Canada in 2010, where a Shen Yun bus had a thin but perilous slit made in one of its tires, which could have caused it to disintegrate once the bus reached highway speeds.
A Shen Yun spokesperson told The Epoch Times: “The Chinese Communist Party has failed to prevent Shen Yun’s success, and has been venting their frustration through terrorist acts.” The Party’s behavior “brings shame to China,” the spokesperson said.
Shen Yun, which tours internationally, is a performing arts company that features classical Chinese dance and traditional Chinese culture. It is currently touring North America, to welcoming audiences.
Read the original Chinese article.
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